E-biking to work – Part 1: which bike is right for me?

I’ve spent about half of my professional life getting to work by car and the other half on public transport. I’ve yet to have the good fortune of being within walking distance to the office. Currently, I spend:

• 5 minutes biking to the train station
• 14 minutes on two trains
• 10 minutes walking from Hardbrücke train station to the office
• 5 minutes waiting and changing connections at the train station

That works out to about 34 minutes door to door. This triathlon with three means of transportation has its advantages; I get some fresh air, get my daily steps in and go through some e-mails or listen to a shorter podcast on the train.

But if you, like me, also ride the S-Bahn, you’ll be aware of its disadvantages: sometimes, you’re in there packed like sardines; other times, you’re forced to suffer inconsiderate passengers. And, most recently, you can enjoy unfiltered coughing. Mind you, the coughing has always been part and parcel of public transport, but I’ve become more aware of it since Covid.

This was the final kick to attempt the commute entirely by bicycle. Here’s the problem: my two-wheeled steed is ten years old. And has no motor. I don’t doubt that it’d survive the 14 kilometres. I suppose the real problem here is me ... I mean, what state would I enter the office in after 14 kilometres of pedalling and a difference in height of 100 metres? There’s no oxygen tent awaiting me. Just meetings and decision-making.

I’ve actually never ridden an e-bike. For the longest time, I dismissed it as a mode of transportation for senior citizens. But I don’t want to hold on to my prejudices for all eternity.

As luck would have it, we carry e-bikes in our range. So, I ask our category manager Nicolas Pulfer if he can arrange an e-bike for me to borrow. I’m not ready to blow a few thousand francs on one before being certain that it’ll fulfil its purpose. Over the next few weeks, I’m taking you on my prolonged test ride.

Which e-bike is right for me?

A few days after my initial stroke of inspiration, I meet up with Daniel Meyer. He’s the founder and CEO of Ego Movement, a Zurich-based e-bike manufacturer. He agrees to lend me an e-bike for eight weeks. Which one will it be? That’s what we discuss in his shop in Zurich. Tarzan, Jane, Caesar, Cleopatra and Julia are all waiting for me on site. No, not the people; the bikes, Daniel explains to me as we walk through the showroom. We set our focus on Caesar and Tarzan, which are the models made for men.

In the seating area of the styled but cosy showroom, we sip on coffee and discuss my first and most important decision. Do I want a pedal-assist e-bike that will go up to a speed of 25 km/h, or do I want to go all the way up to 45 km/h?

The distinction isn’t just technical, but also legal. With the higher speeds of the 45 model comes greater responsibility as a cyclist. A yellow license plate along with an insurance vignette as well as a rear-view mirror must be mounted on the bike. In addition, I must have a driver’s licence and am legally required to wear a helmet. Mind you, the latter is common sense to me, either way.

With Daniel’s expertise, I settle on a «weaker» model to start. I figure I should first get to grips with motorised cycling. Thanks to my regular jogging routine, I’m certainly fit enough to get to the finish line with little support (and I’m not out for record times, either).

350 watts of support

Now that the first question’s been cleared up, Daniel brings three bikes over to the door for me to test ride. I start with the Caeser and its comfortable leather seat. Daniel shows me how to switch between the five levels of motor assistance on the left handle bar, and off I go – my first metres on the Caesarean bike. The old bicycle helmet I brought with me suddenly hits me as positively profane on a vehicle of this calibre. My sitting position is quite upright, and I really get moving when I pedal. Cycling in the top gear and at maximum assistance, this 350-watt mid-drive e-bike really gets the wind flowing through my hair.

Electric bikes

EGO Movement Caesar derailleur

54 cm

2

Electric bikes

EGO Movement Caesar derailleur

54 cm

2

Speaking of gears – I get to test ride a different Caesar model, too. Instead of derailleur gears, this one has a gear hub that auto-shifts based on the pressure you apply to the pedals. I like that in a car, not so much on a bike. It just feels wrong. This Caesar may return to the showroom.

Finally, I take Tarzan for a spin. This one’s a sportier bike with a slightly more aggressive sitting position. It feels similar to my old trekking bike that I use to this day. It also offers more power than the Caesar: 95 Nm of torque instead of 80. On top of that, the Tarzan has slightly wider tyres and an 80 mm suspension fork, which should offer more cushioning.

Electric bikes

EGO Movement Tarzan

52 cm

6

Electric bikes

EGO Movement Tarzan

52 cm

6

Both the Caesar and Tarzan promise enough range to get me to the office and back. Caesar has a 504-watt-hour (Wh) battery and a range of up to 120 kilometres; Tarzan has a 672-Wh battery and a range of up to 140 kilometres. How the theoretical range holds up in real life is something I’ll find out in due time. Either way, I’m confident that, should the battery run out, I’d be able to move either bike using muscle power alone.

I’ve made my choice: Tarzan, I choose you! A few days later, it’s time. My model has been assembled for me in the workshop in Wallisellen, Zurich. Daniel Meyer and product manager Josh Arn give me a detailed briefing. I learn how to switch on the e-bike and how to charge the battery. The feeling of riding an e-bike is something I’ll have to experience for myself, says Daniel.

Before I know it, I’m heading home on an e-bike for the very first time. At the tail end of my journey, I should find the answers to my many questions. Will I be as quick as with public transport? How sweaty will I get? How often will I get lost on unknown routes into the city?

In the next part of this series, I’ll let you know how the first ride on my e-bike went – and what beginner mistakes I made. If you have specific questions you’d like me to answer or tips for the Community about commuting by e-bike, drop them in the comments. If you don’t want to miss out on any of my e-bike experiences and tips, follow my author profile.